Mar 03, 2013 | rswigger | 941 views
Turning a Corner
Just when you thought the season was long enough and you checked the calendar for soccer registration, the Ice Dogs come up with one of their biggest games of the season. In a late-season trip to Shallow Lake, a shortened Ice Dog bench gave the Lakers all they could handle. And the best part--it was a solid effort on the whole team's part!
Something wasn't right. Here we were in Shallow Lake in March playing the league's top team in what should have been an open and shut case reading 'top team dismantles team on losing streak'. But no. The first period was a tight checking affair, noticeably better positionally, and dare I say it, downright exciting to watch. When the period closed out 0-0, with even chances both ways, I went out front to check the name on the arena, and the game sheet. Yup. Ice Dogs vs. Lakers 1. Huh.
The second saw a slight shift in control and chances towards the Lakers, but mostly in reaction to their own frustration trying to find some sustained momentum in our end. The back end was solid, and for the first time in a long time, we actually matched some intensity on the boards. It took the Lakers until the last two minutes of the second to break the shut-out draw.
Early in the third, things began to look a little more desperate when the Lakers popped another two minutes in, but then Ethan buried a nice rebound in front of the Shallow Lake net, and all of us knew it was for real--the Ice Dogs were in a one-goal game in the middle of the third. With a few good chances late--two breakaways broken up at the last second--the Lakers managed to shut the door to the equalizer, and with 6 minutes left, added an insurance goal to seal the deal 3-1. In all, this was one of the closest games for the boys all season...which only makes you wonder: if we can take the top team the distance in their barn...?
The game was a memorable one for all our players, but Rocco was a real standout on D, shutting down several key Laker rushes, getting many safe outs in our end, and even stopping a developing breakaway from his knees late in the game. For this, a well-deserved game puck.
The Dogs next action is Sunday in Chesley vs. the soup (Alphabet soup, that is). Congrats boys...this is a great way to round out your season--hard play, and no regrets.